Education lawyer ’ PQE

Position: Education (Employment) lawyer 3 years’ PQE
Due to continued growth, this directories-listed Education team in London is looking to recruit an Employment lawyer of 3 or more years’ PQE to support and further develop their highly regarded Education sector practice. The team acts for over 300 educational institutions. They are also trusted advisers to national education associations and have played a key role in shaping sector-wide guidance, including developing a national Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy and producing template policies and contracts for schools.

This role offers the opportunity to work closely with independent schools, academies, maintained schools, higher and further education colleges and universities, advising on the full range of employment and HR issues. You will work collaboratively with colleagues across the Education & Charities Team, becoming a trusted adviser to clients by truly understanding how their organisations operate, their approach to risk, and the practical realities of running an educational establishment.

You will advise on a broad range of employment matters for education clients, including:
• Day-to-day employment and HR advisory work;
• Complex staffing issues, disciplinary and grievance matters;
• Safeguarding-related employment issues;
• Senior appointments, exits and restructures;
• Employment aspects of academy conversions, mergers and governance changes;
• Drafting and reviewing contracts, policies and staff handbooks;
• Providing pragmatic, commercial and solutions-focused advice. You will work closely with governors, heads, bursars, COOs and senior leadership teams, acting as an extension of your client’s in-house teams. The team’s clients value clarity, confidence and practical guidance and this role is ideal for someone who enjoys building long-term client relationships and advising in a sector with real social impact. Applicant will have Employment law experience and have at least some experience of the Education sector or be able to demonstrate a strong interest in the Education sector.